A JURY has cleared a 22-year-old Nantwich man of causing the death of a friend in a road crash.

A JURY has cleared a 22-year-old Nantwich man of causing the death of a friend in a road crash.

The jury at Shrewsbury Crown Court took just 30 minutes before exonerating Oliver Young, of Nantwich Road, Broomhall, of charges of causing the death of 27-year-old Roger Cooper, of Higher Heath, near Whitchurch, by dangerous driving while driving with excess alcohol.

They also found him not guilty of an alternative charge of causing death by driving without due care and attention.

Young was, however, found guilty of careless driving and will be sentenced in September.

Mr Cooper died in April last year when his Suzuki motorbike, following a car driven by Young, struck a kerb.

Tests showed both men were over the drink-drive limit as they drove between the Raven Hotel in Prees Heath and the Horseshoes Inn at Tilstock.

Prosecuting counsel Gareth Walters said both men had been drinking at the Raven with friends.

After drinking a couple of pints at the Raven one of the group suggested that they went to the Horseshoes. They left the Raven about 10.20pm. Young was first away in a Ford Escort, followed by a group in a Rover and two friends in a white Mercedes. Roger Cooper left last.

The pair in the Mercedes said that Mr Cooper overtook them and the Rover in front at speed. It was alleged that Young had moved across the road to prevent being overtaken, causing Cooper to crash.